The Alternative National Congress (ANC) has written a follow-up communication to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), requesting a public status update on the investigation into the Mano River Union (MRU) Center for Regional Peace and Development Project in Foya, Lofa County.
In a letter dated July 30, 2026, addressed to LACC Executive Chairperson Samuel F. Tarr, the party said its request follows an earlier formal complaint filed on May 25, 2026, in which it called for a comprehensive probe into the financing, procurement, authorization and implementation of the project. The ANC, through its Secretary General Desmond U. Nimely and approved by National Chairman Cllr. Lafayette E. O. Gould, acknowledged the Commission’s response dated June 4, 2026, in which the LACC assured that the matter would receive serious consideration through an independent and impartial assessment in line with its constitutional and statutory mandate.
According to the party, the matter remains one of “exceptional national importance” that transcends a single public project. “It raises fundamental questions about public financial accountability, constitutional governance, procurement integrity, and the stewardship of scarce national resources,” the ANC stated. The party noted that while it respects the independence of the LACC and recognizes that investigations must be evidence-driven rather than time-driven, prolonged uncertainty harms both justice and institutional credibility.
“The confidence of the Liberian people in public institutions depends not only upon whether allegations are investigated, but whether such investigations are conducted promptly, professionally, transparently, and without fear or favor,” the letter said.
The ANC is therefore requesting that the LACC: 1. Provide a public update on the current status of its preliminary assessment or formal investigation into the MRU Center Project; 2. Inform the public whether sufficient grounds have been established to proceed with a full investigation; 3. Reaffirm its commitment to conducting the matter free from political influence or external interference; 4. Ensure that anyone found culpable, regardless of office or political affiliation, is held fully accountable under the law; and 5. Publish its findings upon completion of the investigation.
The party emphasized that its communication is not intended to prejudge any individual or institution, noting that every person is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence. “Liberia stands at a defining moment in its democratic development. Strong institutions — not strong personalities — are the foundation upon which enduring nations are built,” the ANC said. The party reaffirmed its commitment to supporting lawful efforts aimed at protecting public resources and strengthening a culture of integrity.
The misinformation controversy around the Foya project stems from shifting and contradictory official explanations. Initially, Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando claimed on Facebook and on Punch FM in September 2025 that the sprawling compound in President Joseph Boakai’s hometown was an MRU-funded initiative chosen for its proximity to Guinea and Sierra Leone. That claim was categorically denied by the Mano River Union Secretariat, with Secretary General Simeon Moribah stating constructing presidential palaces is not on its agenda and describing Sando’s claim as “devoid of truth”.
Months later the government changed its narrative. In December 2025 Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah broke silence to say the structure was not a US$10 million Presidential Villa, but a government-owned Mano River Union Center for Regional Peace and Development financed by national, regional and international partners at a cost of about US$6.1 million. Critics point to the inconsistency between the earlier US$10 million MRU-funded villa claim, the later US$6.1 million government-owned peace center claim, and President Boakai’s own statement that the project began without his knowledge, while also providing a detailed defense of its purpose — compounded by the absence of any budget line, procurement record, or legislative approval for the project.
